Meet our newest scientist!

Kendall Carlson sits in her invention - a three-wheeled bike made for her cousin, who suffers fro cerebral palsy. Carlson is taking the bike to Ottawa next week to compete in the National Science Fair. Carlson’s invention placed first at the Peace Region Science Fair in Fairview.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

A High Prairie girl will be travelling to Ottawa next week as a result of the fruits of her hard labours. Prairie River Junior High School Grade 8 student Kendall Carlson is attending the National Science Fair May 10-18. Carlson built a special bicycle for her cousin, 12-year-old Aly Keay, who suffers from cerebral palsy. Her project, called ‘Mobility for the Disabled’ earned her the trip to Ottawa after placing first at the Peace Region Science Fair in Fairview. Carlson, the daughter of Trevor and Kelly Carlson, says she came up with the idea to help her cousin get around better. “We’re always outside at the farm and she can’t get around,” says Carlson. So, she invented a unique three-wheeled bike. What is so special about the bike is that it’s specially designed to fit Keay’s needs. “There’s only one handlebar,” says Carlson. “She can only hang on (and steer) with one arm so she can use it.” The bike has a very low centre of gravity to make it more stable than other bikes; there is a basket attached for Keay to carry belongings and a sliding device can be moved to adjust to Keay’s needs as she grows older and bigger. The tires are bigger to give more traction in gravel and grass. The bike is also built very low to the ground to allow Keay easier access. “So she can get right into it,” says Carlson. Even the pedals strap on so Keay’s feet don’t slip. The bike not only allows Keay to get around, it will help her build muscles from all the pedaling. And, of course, a safety cushion proving no part of constructing the bike went unnoticed. Carlson built the entire bike from scratch with the help of her neighbour Allen Imrie, who provided her the welding shop needed to do the work. “Mostly, I got old parts,” says Carlson. “I got two bikes from Peter Elliott and I paid $50 for a bent pipe. The rest of it is scrap metals and stuff. I got the seat from a broken chair.” Carlson started building the bike in late October 2007 and completed it by mid-January. Since its completion, she has made minor adjustments as small flaws are recognized and corrected. In all, Carlson estimates it only took her 24 hours to make the 50-pound bike. Carlson took her bike to Edmonton and received many compliments from people at the Glenrose Hospital. They even want to incorporate some of Carlson’s ideas. “They had not seen this design,” says Carlson, who is contemplating patenting the producct. The only obstacle Carlson faces is the cost of transporting the bike to Ottawa. She can remove the handlebars and wheels but it will still cost about $1,000 to ship it. Carlson is rightly proud of her invention. It was all done by a student whose favourite subject is anything but science. “My favourite is gym,” says Carlson, adding that building the bike has “everything to do with Aly.”

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